When Burgundy Sparkles

TERRES SECRÈTES Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé

As the holidays approach, you may be looking for a celebratory bottle to share with family or friends. Recently I discovered an excellent sparkling Rosé made from an 80/20 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes that is as perfect as an aperitif as it is with food. What’s more, it’s offered at the unbeatable price of $21 a bottle—Champagne quality at a decidedly un-champagne price. It is Crémant de Bourgogne from Terre Secrétes in the Maconnais region of Southern Burgundy. Crémant de Bourgogne is its own controlled appellation of origin (AOC) with approximately 5000 acres under cultivation. The wine is made from the same grapes as Champagne but grown on Burgundy’s legendary limestone terroirs. The grapes are hand-harvested, soaked to extract color, pressed, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. It is then aged with 10% older wine that has been held in oak barrels for six months. Finally, according to the method for producing fine champagne, secondary fermentation is carried out in the bottle.